Notice of Privacy Practices

Our Pledge Regarding Health Information

DeGuardian Health Agency understands that medical information about you and your health is personal. We are committed to protecting that information. This Notice tells you about the ways we may use and disclose your protected health information (PHI) and describes your rights and our obligations under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).

How We May Use and Disclose Your Health Information

For Treatment

We may use and disclose your health information to provide, coordinate, and manage your care. This includes sharing information with physicians, nurses, therapists, and other healthcare providers involved in your care.

For Payment

We may use and disclose your health information to bill and collect payment for services. This may include sharing information with insurance companies, Medicare, Medicaid, or other payers.

For Healthcare Operations

We may use and disclose your health information to support our business activities, including quality assessment, training, accreditation, licensing, and care coordination.

Other Uses That Do Not Require Your Authorization

• As required by law
• For public health activities (disease reporting, FDA reporting)
• To report suspected abuse, neglect, or domestic violence
• For health oversight activities
• In response to court orders, subpoenas, or administrative requests
• For law enforcement purposes as permitted by law
• To coroners, medical examiners, and funeral directors
• For organ and tissue donation
• For approved research with safeguards
• To avert a serious threat to health or safety
• For military, veterans affairs, national security, or correctional purposes
• For workers' compensation as authorized by law

Uses That Require Your Authorization

We will obtain your written authorization before using or disclosing your health information for:

• Marketing purposes
• Sale of your health information
• Most uses and disclosures of psychotherapy notes
• Other uses not described in this Notice

You may revoke an authorization in writing at any time.

Your Rights

Right to Inspect and Copy

You have the right to inspect and obtain a copy of your health information that we maintain. We may charge a reasonable cost-based fee for copies.

Right to Request Amendment

You have the right to request that we amend your health information if you believe it is incorrect or incomplete. We may deny your request under certain circumstances.

Right to an Accounting of Disclosures

You have the right to receive a list of certain disclosures we have made of your health information.

Right to Request Restrictions

You have the right to request that we restrict how we use or disclose your health information. We are not required to agree to your request, except in certain limited circumstances.

Right to Request Confidential Communications

You have the right to request that we communicate with you about health matters in a certain way or at a certain location (for example, only at home or only by mail).

Right to a Paper Copy of This Notice

You have the right to a paper copy of this Notice. You may request a paper copy at any time even if you have agreed to receive this Notice electronically.

Right to Notification of Breach

You have the right to be notified if there is a breach of your unsecured health information.

Changes to This Notice

We reserve the right to change this Notice. We will post the revised Notice on our website and make it available at our office. The change will apply to all health information we maintain, including information created before the change.

Complaints

If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, you may file a complaint with us or with the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. You will not be retaliated against for filing a complaint.

To file a complaint with DeGuardian Health, contact:

To file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, visit hhs.gov/hipaa/filing-a-complaint.

Contact Information

For questions about this Notice or our privacy practices, contact our Privacy Officer at the address above.